Wednesday, October 23, 2013

MAF-NSC STANDOFF, KJ STEPS IN

Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin will hold
discussions with the national sports associations with regards to sending
athletes who have not made it on merit to the SEA Games in Myanmar this
December.

Citing the decision of the Malaysian Athletics
Federation, who opted not to list “senior” athletes who failed to meet the
qualifying mark for the SEA Games, Khairy said that he needed to gather
viewpoints of the affected NSA’s before making a final decision.

“At first I was inclined to follow the suggestion by
the NSC with regards to sending athletes who have served the nation well in the
past,” said Khairy.

“But seeing the stand adopted by MAF, I feel it is
necessary to hold discussions on this matter.

“There are two different stands taken, while the NSC
feel these athletes still have it within them to deliver, MAF feel otherwise.

“So the best way out of this stalemate is to hold
discussions and come to a common stand, and as a Minister I will listen to both
sides and also gather views from others.”

Noraseela Khalid and
Robani Hassan failed to make the 39-name shortlist by MAF and the NSC Director
General Dato Seri Zolkples Embong was reported to have said that NSC were
willing to fund their participation.

“Frankly I am more
inclined towards developing the youth, but at times the experienced athletes
deliver when it matters most,” said Khairy.

“Thus we need to weigh
the options properly and put sentiments aside and look at the bigger picture.
While development is important so are results and the public will be looking at
medals at the SEA Games.

“I am willing to pay
for athletes who can deliver at the SEA Games but at the same time need views
of the national sports associations first.”

Under the Olympic Council
of Malaysia's (OCM) criteria for major games, the Category A and B were
introduced, namely to allow athletes who qualify on merit to be listed under
Category A and athletes who did not make the cut, be listed under Category B.

The cost of participation
for athletes under Category A will be borne by the OCM while the respective
National Sports Associations will have to bear the cost of sending athletes
under Category B.

However, if athletes under
Category B win a gold medal, their expenditure will be reimbursed by OCM while
athletes who win a silver medal will have a part of their expenditure
reimbursed by the OCM.